RMM – Chapter 94 Separate Lives

Xi Yuechen frowned and pushed away the woman who had almost collapsed onto him.

Looking at her heavily made-up face and breathing in the thick perfume clinging to her, he felt a wave of nausea.

Of course, Brother Long noticed Xi Yuechen’s reaction and laughed boisterously. “Brother Cheng doesn’t like this kind of flavor? That day I saw your wife—fresh and elegant. Could it be that Brother Cheng only fancies that sort of type?”

Hearing Brother Long speak of Su Ruo in such a frivolous, mocking tone, Xi Yuechen’s displeasure deepened.

“How can you say that? I married her because I loved her in the first place. Where’s the talk of ‘good or not good’ in that?”

He gave an awkward smile and once again pushed away the woman who kept sticking to him. Inwardly, he was so annoyed he wanted to shove her straight to the floor.

“Haha, fair enough,” Brother Long sat in the middle, an attractive young woman in his arms as his hands roamed freely. “But men—well, we ought to enjoy ourselves in time. Being controlled every day, who could endure that? Big Brother here knows all too well.”

Tonight Brother Long was at the Royal Court again, this time upstairs in a private room. He had even called in a few beautiful girls to drink with them. He figured that Cheng Yue’s wife was just like his own—suspicious and meddlesome. Since his wife had returned to her hometown, naturally he should take the chance to live it up. That’s what men do.

He was rather proud of his “understanding nature,” never realizing just how much Xi Yuechen despised it.

“Brother Long, you’re thoughtful,” Xi Yuechen lifted the glass before him, smiling apologetically. “Although Xiaolin looks domineering and unreasonable, when my career was just starting, she never left my side, always gave me her full support. Now that I’ve achieved a little success, I want her to live well. Outside, of course I must restrain myself. Please forgive my dullness.”

The sincerity in his words startled Brother Long for a moment.

“Brother Cheng, you truly aren’t ordinary. In both conduct and action, you’re extraordinary. I, your big brother, feel ashamed in comparison.”

He sighed, suddenly recalling his own wife. When he was young and had nothing, she too had supported him without complaint. Now that life was better, he actually began resenting her. Thinking of this, he felt guilty.

Waving his hand, he dismissed all the girls, then raised his glass toward Xi Yuechen. “Brother Cheng, I like the way you conduct yourself. You’ll surely have a great future. Come, let me toast you!”

Over these past days, Brother Long had come to admire him more and more. He spoke well, acted steady and capable. A fine young man, with no shortage of funds. This business, it seemed, might indeed work out.

Cheng Yue wanted long-term cooperation with their Yanmen. That had its pros and cons. The good part was a steady partner—safe, stable deals, no fear of accidents, fixed income. But Cheng Yue was from the mainland, his background unclear. These days the world was full of shady characters—who could say for sure? Yanmen’s influence was all in Province D. The mainland cracked down on drugs too hard; they couldn’t extend their reach there. If they truly wanted to cooperate with Cheng Yue, they had to investigate carefully to avoid mishaps.

If it were anyone else, Brother Long would have refused—plenty of buyers out there, why bother with such trouble? But Xi Yuechen’s manner suited him so well that he felt an urge to help. A man like this was destined for success; better to win him over now.

So he pulled his connections and inquired carefully. The news matched Cheng Yue’s claims: in S City he ran a reasonably sized business, and there was indeed a Lin Yin. Nothing seemed abnormal. Relieved, Brother Long felt reassured.

How could he know that the military had poured so much effort into this operation? Their intelligence work was watertight. Even Su Ruo’s “accidental” incident had been accounted for.

Still, wiping out Yanmen in one transaction was impossible. At most, they could net a few small fry, insignificant in the grand scheme. It wouldn’t hurt Yanmen at all.

Thus, this mission would be gradual. After all these years, what difference did a few more months make?

A newcomer like Xi Yuechen could never attract Yanmen’s higher-ups’ attention. Even if Brother Long wanted to recommend him, there had to be a few successful deals first—profits proven—before Yanmen would take him seriously.

Both Long and Xi Yuechen understood this without saying it outright. Each played his part. Little did Long suspect that the man he admired so much was military, and that his own painstaking help was nothing less than “inviting a wolf into the house.”

“Brother Cheng,” Long said earnestly, “you understand even if I don’t say it. Yanmen’s this big—we have to be cautious. Things can’t be rushed. Don’t blame me for not helping, it’s just the rule.”

“It’s fine, Brother Long, I understand. I should be thanking you for all your effort. Without you, how could I even step through Yanmen’s door, let alone talk business?” Xi Yuechen put down what was in his hand and smiled gratefully, though his eyes carried a hidden meaning no one could read. “In the future, I’ll be sure to repay you.”

Brother Long burst into laughter, clapping him on the shoulder. “With those words, I can rest easy.”

Xi Yuechen’s lips curved in a smile, his expression unreadable under the dim light.

As usual, he stayed at the Royal Court until late at night. Lately it was always like this when he came out, but not without gain. Brother Long now trusted him deeply, conditions had loosened. At this rate, the first deal wasn’t far off.

Starting his car, Xi Yuechen let out a cold laugh in his heart.

Back at the hotel, he turned on the phone he kept there. Sure enough, several texts awaited—all from Su Ruo. He opened them one by one, and as he read, he couldn’t help but smile softly, eyes brimming with tenderness.

The messages weren’t about anything big—just daily trivia and little thoughts. These past days she wrote about Shen Liang taking her to etiquette lessons, charity events, art exhibitions, operas—cultivating her temperament, as he put it. But Su Ruo was suffering. She’d much rather nap at home than endure such “cultural refinement.”

Her helplessness and occasional sighs in the messages, Xi Yuechen read with great care, chuckling as warmth spread through him, filling his whole being.

After finishing, he typed a single “Mm” in reply—his way of saying he’d read it.

Su Ruo was used to his “Mm” by now. The first time she received a text back, she was shocked. Since when did Xi Yuechen learn to text? And replying, no less? Had he suddenly seen the light?

But when she opened it—only one word: Mm.

What was that supposed to mean? For a while she’d been dumbfounded. But, well, she knew better than to expect much from him. Perhaps even that single “Mm” was the result of his emotional evolution several stages ahead.

Annoying as it was, every time he replied with “Mm,” she still felt happy. Though she often only saw it the next day, she would sometimes scroll back through their messages, rereading her long rambles and his one-word answers. Strangely, it felt almost like a real conversation.

After sending “Mm,” Xi Yuechen put the phone down. But recalling the woman who had clung to him earlier, the stench of perfume seemed to linger in his nose. He suddenly felt sick, hurried into the bathroom, stripped, and showered, scrubbing away the uncomfortable feeling left by her touch.

Once, to him, women were all the same. But now he realized there were vast differences. Everything about Su Ruo seemed good to him, while other women—even standing close—made his skin crawl. Especially those hostesses at the Royal Court—filthy.

After his shower, he even washed the clothes he’d worn today. He had others anyway, no worry for tomorrow.

Su Ruo had gone to bed early. These days left her exhausted, her schedule unbearable. Why had Mother-in-law suddenly decided she needed “high-class” temperament training? She was still so young, nowhere near the status of a society madam!

But it was well-intentioned, so how could she refuse? Even her own mother, upon hearing, fully supported it—told her to learn well, it would be useful in the future.

So, with Shen Liang teaching seriously, Su Ruo applied herself earnestly. Though it was tiring, she knew with her current identity, she would face such occasions sooner or later. Better to learn now than to embarrass herself later.

In high society, social functions were unavoidable.

Besides Shen Liang’s lessons, she had picked yoga back up, practicing several hours a day. It left her panting, but at least she felt productive instead of wasting time at home.

By now, Su Ruo had fully adapted to her environment. Handling affairs came easily, showing the demeanor of a true young lady of a great house.

Shen Liang, though feeling sorry for her, insisted on the training. She knew Su Ruo had little interest, but disinterest didn’t mean she could avoid such occasions forever. The basics had to be mastered.

She could attend fewer events, but when she did go, her performance must be flawless—no mistakes, no blemish. After all, she represented both the Xi and Su families.

Zhang Huaqing agreed. With status came pressure. A glamorous life did not mean a life without burdens. On the contrary, sometimes they had to be even more careful, paying a heavier price.